Framing

United States at that time, especially those in the American South, were truly brimming with martial spirit. So when they said they wanted to punish traitors, they really meant it. And the United States way of punishing traitors was different from that of a certain Eastern country. United States have always lacked the spirit of politeness; they would never first bow politely and then say, "Mr./Ms. [Name], for the sake of America, please die." Then they would draw their gun and shoot him in the head, or, in a more Eastern style, draw a knife and slash him down with a sweeping motion. Then, with a clean white towel, they would meticulously and ceremoniously wipe the knife clean, sheath it, and then bow deeply to the terrified family members, sincerely apologizing, "I'm sorry I dirtied your floor." Look at their manners, their politeness, their sense of ritual—it's truly... inhuman!

United States lack this spirit of striving for perfection; they just pull out their guns, fire all the bullets, throw the guns away, and yell at the surrounding police, "I'm mentally ill!"

United States understand United States, so both Fafnir and Gred reduced their outings and basically avoided public appearances except for going to class.

Of course, it would be even better if they could keep quiet for a while longer. However, they all knew that if they shut up now, their public image would be greatly affected. For them, to achieve a higher position, they couldn't ruin their public image. Their public image was one of unwavering loyalty to America and deep concern that America might go astray. If they shut up now, the United States people would think they were cowards. And United States, who are generally known for their strong sense of justice, even United States from the North, have great contempt for cowards.

Therefore, they must continue to speak out and never appear cowardly. So, in response to the reaction of those in the South, Professor Gred published another article entitled "I'm Not Angry, I'm Just Sad."

In this article, Professor Gred magnanimously stated that he was not angry about the accusations and attacks from some of his compatriots in the South. He knew that these people were acting out of simple patriotism.

"However, patriotism is an emotion that is very easily exploited," Professor Greed wrote in his article. "Many times, it is easily manipulated by those in high positions who have ulterior motives. For example, back then, and even recently, when the British sent troops to commit horrific acts such as the 'Three Alls' (kill all, burn all, loot all), weren't their soldiers also motivated by 'patriotism'? Similarly, humanity, which should be united like brothers as Jesus Christ taught, is instead killing each other under the banner of what is supposedly a noble and righteous 'patriotism.' Undoubtedly, they are all patriots who love their respective countries, and should all be noble and good people, yet they are killing each other. So where does the problem lie?"

The problem lies in 'patriotism'. If we are not vigilant against it, then patriotism will become a refuge for all imperialists!

I have no intention of opposing true patriotism, because it is a noble sentiment. But before that, we must first figure out what kind of country we love!

I believe patriotism has a prerequisite: that the country we love truly is our country. Just as our forefathers wrote in the powerful and inspiring Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, that their just powers arise from the consent of the governed." Clearly, only when a country truly upholds the inherent rights of the people who founded it does it have legitimacy, and only then is it worthy of our love.

So before we talk about patriotism, let's ask ourselves: 'Do we love United States, but does United States love us?'

If other rogue nations—like Britain, a predatory pirate nation—violate our land and slaughter our people, then we should naturally unite under the Stars and Stripes to defend our homeland and sacrifice ourselves for it. In such a situation, all citizens of the United States, regardless of North or South, young or old, have the responsibility to defend the nation and resist aggression.

However, if, like Britain, our country, driven by pirate-like greed, plunders and slaughters people from other nations or tribes, seizing their land and wealth, and demands our service, then it's not merely oppressing and plundering other peoples, but also oppressing ourselves. Such a country is not only the enemy of the invaded nation, but also the enemy of its own people, just like Britain.

My father, based on his simple moral principles, left me with these three teachings: 'Trust in God, pay taxes according to the law, and hate the Britain.' This is how I understand these three points.

First, I want to talk about hating the Britain. What does it mean to hate the Britain? Fundamentally, it means hating Britain's pirate culture, which is what turned Britain into the world's largest pirate group. If we hate the Britain, we must oppose Britain and its culture from a cultural perspective. Otherwise, how can it be considered true hatred of Britain?

Secondly, I want to talk about paying taxes according to the law. What does paying taxes according to the law mean? It means patriotism. So what is true patriotism? True patriotism is not unconditional, nor is it about blindly supporting the country no matter what it does or applauding it. Rather, it is about demanding moral standards of our motherland, so that it can truly become a country that conforms to morality.

As for 'trusting God,' it means living in accordance with the teachings of Jesus. What did Jesus teach us? Jesus certainly taught us many things, but the most important thing he taught us was love, just as the lawmaker Moses taught us what justice is.

But Moses was merely a prophet, while Jesus is far superior to Moses, because love is above justice.

In the context of our war with the British, trusting in God means that while we harbor hatred for the British, a pirate gang, we must also feel compassion for the British soldiers who were, in fact, victims of the same pirates. Just as Jesus Christ prayed for sinners even as he was crucified, and just as St. Stephen, being stoned by the Jews, still said, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!"—still filled with compassion and mercy for their ignorance—this is the example of a Christian. Therefore, if we kill British soldiers on the battlefield, that is simply fate. But if they have surrendered, or intend to surrender, shouldn't we follow Jesus' teaching of "love your enemies," showing them compassion, saving them, and rescuing them from the poison and lies of the British pirate gang, instead of slaughtering them?

"Aren't those who insist on massacring Britain prisoners of war turning themselves into the very Britain bandits they hate most?"

Gred's article and the related reactions naturally and quickly traveled back home via radio.

Then... Lucien broke several pencils.

"You bunch of trash! This Gred, he's such a useful person! Why did he have to be trained by the Ministry of Police! That Fafnir you're promoting, compared to him, he's nowhere near as good! He's utter trash, he should be thrown out to Robespierre! Trash, he's infuriating! Just thinking about that bastard Fouché running to Napoleon to boast and chatting and laughing with Napoleon makes me angry! Tell me, how can we steal the limelight from the Ministry of Police now?"

"Minister, that Fafnir..."

"What about Fafnir?" Lucien asked.

"We were going to arrange for Fafnir to give a speech, but he refused. He was afraid the Southerners would sneak into the crowd and shoot him."

"Coward! Bastard! Why isn't Gred afraid?" At this point, Lucien suddenly remembered something. "Everyone except Victor and Villefort, get out!"

Everyone then went out and closed the door behind them.

"You two sit down," Lucien said. "What do you think would happen if we assassinated Fafnir, then openly framed the American South while secretly framing Fouché?"